Frequently asked Questions…

School Policies and Procedures are established at every school to improve local systems and processes and to ensure the safety of our students, employees and visitors.

In order to assist you in learning about the policies and procedures at Alachua Elementary, we are including a list of frequently asked questions from parents to our front office staff. It is our goal for our school website and the Alachua Elementary, Parent/Student Handbook to be a resource for answering your questions. We will continue to add questions/answers as necessary.

School Policies and Procedures are established at every school to improve local systems and processes and to ensure the safety of our students, employees and visitors.

In order to assist you in learning about the policies and procedures at Alachua Elementary, we are including a list of frequently asked questions from parents to our front office staff. It is our goal for our school website and the Alachua Elementary, Parent/Student Handbook to be a resource for answering your questions. We will continue to add questions/answers as necessary.

Q: I need to speak to my child’s teacher. Can I come in early one morning and go to the classroom?A: Mornings are busy times for our teachers as they are preparing for the school day, so please email your child’s teacher to arrange a convenient time to meet with or call her/him. Remember to include your phone number in the email. In the event that you do not have email access, the front office staff will be happy to take a message from you and send it to the teacher. NOTE: Teachers have 24 hours to respond to parent emails and phone calls.

Q: How do I get my child’s teacher’s email address?A: All school employees have the same ending to their email address: @gm.sbac.edu. Email addresses are listed on our Faculty and Staff page. You can also call our front office at (386) 462-1841.

Q: My child has a 2:00 dentist appointment. Can I check her out at 1:30?A: The latest time to check out a student is 1:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The latest time to check out a student on Wednesdays is 12:15 pm.

Q: My child usually rides the bus home but I need him to be a car rider today. Can I call or send an email to make that change?A: We cannot accept transportation changes over the phone. Emails are permitted if they come from the email address we have on file. We may ask you to include a picture of your Driver’s License in the email. You can also fax the note to (844) 273-4585. Please include the name of your child’s teacher and the make and color of your vehicle (example, Gold Honda Accord) in the note.

Q: My child’s birthday is today. Can I bring in cupcakes, balloons and goodie bags?A: As stated in the Parent/Student Handbook, birthday parties are not allowed at school, however, cupcakes or cookies may be provided for the class snack. Please email or call your child’s teacher, in advance, to let her/him know you are bringing in a treat. Unless other arrangements are made with the teacher, you may bring in the treat and leave it in the front office. We will email the teacher and she/he will come get it at her/his convenience.

Q: I want to visit my child’s classroom. Do I need to check in the front office first?A: Unexpected visitors can be disruptive to the learning environment, therefore we ask that you refrain from visiting the classroom unless you have made arrangements with the teacher. If arrangements are made, you will check in the front office for a visitor pass before proceeding to the classroom.

Q: If I call during the school day, will I be able to speak with my child?A: No. Students cannot be taken out of class for phone calls.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail regarding official business to the District or any of its employees. Instead, contact the District or individual employee by phone or in writing. -The district prohibits discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment, and in access to educational programs and activities, and prohibits harassment of any individual or group on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or genetic information (and other protected classes included in the district’s nondiscrimination policies)